Intermediate
Lessons
The 5 Scale Shapes (CAGED System)
CAGED System Exercises
Play Simple Melodies Using Five ShapesGreat way to coordinate your hand and your ear!
4-Notes-At-Time Scale ExerciseClassic exercise to build speed, dexterity, endurance
Play CAGED Scales in ThirdsAnother great exercise that also helps your ear!
Five "CAGED Chords" ExerciseA workout for your fretting hand. Moves progressively up neck.
Play All 12 Keys With Five ShapesGreat preparation for changing keys when soloing. Also really strengthens fretting hand for gigging!
"The Modes" of the Major Scale
Licks & Lines
Classic Rock "Double-Stop" LicksStrum 2 notes at the same time; funky, rockabilly sounds.
"Spy Licks:" James Bond, Peter Gunn,
Secret Agent ManSome campy riffs and chords from famous theme songs
Secret Agent ManSome campy riffs and chords from famous theme songs
Short lick: Bright or Bluesy Double-Stop StretchA super useful lick/technique for a 'steel guitar' or 'emotional blues' sound
Descending Sixths Country Lick (Intro?)Learn about one of my favorite intervals: Sixths! Use in a cute/corny sliding lick.
"Repeating Blues-Riff" SongsThree tunes from the '50s & '60s made of simple, repeating riffs!
Dual-Use Double-Stop-Stretch!Has either a 'country' sound or a 'bluesy' sound depending on where you play it.
Other
The 12 'Musical Personalities' That Don't Change, No Matter What Key You're InWhat feeling/mood does a Major 3rd have? Which are the "bluesy/funky" scale tones? All this and much more!
Diatonic Triads: Understanding the chords
that make up most songsThere's one chord for each degree of the major scale. Knowing their order makes learning most songs a breeze.
that make up most songsThere's one chord for each degree of the major scale. Knowing their order makes learning most songs a breeze.
Diatonic Thirds in Four Modes:
Spice Up Your SoloingThirds are probably the most common interval to play while soloing. Learn to use them in the 4 common modes.
Spice Up Your SoloingThirds are probably the most common interval to play while soloing. Learn to use them in the 4 common modes.
All About Seventh Chords
(and 2-5-1 Chord Progression)Learn the differences between 7th, Major 7th, Minor 7th and Minor 7b5 chords and where they came from.
(and 2-5-1 Chord Progression)Learn the differences between 7th, Major 7th, Minor 7th and Minor 7b5 chords and where they came from.
Extended Jazz Chords: 9th, 11th and 13thAdd more color and sophistication to your chords...and learn which ones NOT to play!
Pivoting Primary ChordsHow to play I, IV and V chords all over the neck to enhance your chording and soloing
Songs
Blackbird--McCartney / Beatles (V, L,)Paul McCartney's Bach-inspired masterpiece, with harmonic analysis and discussion of "tenths."
Isn't She Lovely--Stevie Wonder (V, L&C, C/S)Gorgeous, happy tune with sophisticated chords and "voice leading." Learn chords and/or "chord melody" version(s).
Recently--Jim Croce (V, Upper Int., TAB, L)My jazzy arrangement of little-known Croce tune. Nice voice-leading, diminished 7th passing chords....
Rolling In The Deep--Adele (V, L&C, P/A)Almost whole song can be played on bottom E and A strings. Also employs "palm muting."
Up On The Roof--James Taylor (I, V, L, S, B/T)Based on JT's folk-pop version of the Drifters' classic. Discusses "pivoting primary chords."
RoadLicks
"Day Tripper" (Beatles)One of the coolest riffs I remember hearing as a kid! (Sam Roi Yawt Beach, Thailand)
"Jenny - 867-5309" (Tommy Tutone)Very unique, "guitaristic" riff on the top three strings. (Sam Roi Yawt Beach, Thailand)
"Them Changes" (Buddy Miles)Minor pentatonic-based riff from this old funk tune. (Ban Krut Beach, Thailand)
"Pretty Woman" (Roy Orbison)This is basically a dominant 9 arppegio. (Ban Krut Beach, Thailand)
"Cut The Cake" (Average White Band)Classic funk intro riff. (Pak Chong, Thailand)
"Listen To The Music" (Doobie Bros.)A "guitaristic" riff (only sounds right on guitar). (Pak Chong, Thailand)
"Good Times Bad Times" (Led Zeppelin)Powerful song intro by the immortal Jimmy Page. (Pauillac, France)
"Kansas City" (Various Artists)Add some interest to a seventh barre chord by wiggling your little finger a bit. (Pauillac, France)
"Love Roller Coaster" (Ohio Players)A silly little song with a funny little guitar riff. (Toulouse, France)
"Mainline Florida" (Eric Clapton)Groovy intro chords from Clapton's 1974 album, "461 Ocean Boulevard. (Toulouse, France)